South African law enforcement agencies have made little progress in addressing the scourge of bribery at border posts, with transporters highlighting “fear of victimisation” as one of the key reasons for this.

A new report by global anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) pointed out that only 15 formal foreign bribery cases had been opened between 2014 and 2017. The ‘Exporting Corruption 2018’ report – released late last month – rates countries on their enforcement against foreign bribery under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Anti-Bribery Convention.

South Africa was one of 40 signatory countries surveyed, along with four other major non-OECD exporters – China, India, Hong Kong and Singapore – and was one of 11 classified as having “limited enforcement”.

This is the same rating it received three years ago. Sources who wished to remain anonymous – including cross-border transporters and clearing agents – told FTW that formal complaints were not made for fear of victimisation at the borders.